U.S. patent application number 12/277733 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for waste can.
This patent application is currently assigned to RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Ian Westad Cunningham, Clayton Kirschner, David McNamara, Joseph Dugan Musser.
Application Number | 20090261105 12/277733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40678981 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090261105 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cunningham; Ian Westad ; et
al. |
October 22, 2009 |
WASTE CAN
Abstract
A waste can comprises a receptacle having a rim. A shroud is
removably mounted on the receptacle for retaining a trash bag in
the receptacle. A lid is secured to the shroud for covering at
least a portion of the trash bag. The shroud has an interior
opening that is substantially coextensive with an opening of the
receptacle. The shroud includes a bag ring extending upwardly from
the shroud for receiving the open upper edge of a bag. The lid
extends over the bag ring such that the bag is hidden from view
when the lid is closed.
Inventors: |
Cunningham; Ian Westad;
(Huntersville, NC) ; Kirschner; Clayton;
(Charlotte, NC) ; McNamara; David; (Huntersville,
NC) ; Musser; Joseph Dugan; (Huntersville,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOORE & VAN ALLEN PLLC
P.O. BOX 13706
Research Triangle Park
NC
27709
US
|
Assignee: |
RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
Huntersville
NC
|
Family ID: |
40678981 |
Appl. No.: |
12/277733 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61004486 |
Nov 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/495.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/068 20130101;
B65F 1/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/495.08 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/14 20060101
B65D025/14 |
Claims
1. A waste can comprising: a receptacle; a shroud removably mounted
on the receptacle for retaining a trash bag in the receptacle; a
lid secured to the shroud for covering at least a portion of the
trash bag.
2. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes an
opening and the shroud has an interior opening that is
substantially coextensive with the opening of the receptacle.
3. The waste can of claim 1 further including a bag ring extending
upwardly from said shroud for receiving the open upper edge of a
bag.
4. The waste can of claim 1 wherein a first perimeter edge of
shroud is located inside of a second perimeter edge of a top rim of
the receptacle.
5. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the lid extends over the bag
ring such that the bag is hidden from view when the lid is
closed.
6. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the lid pivots relative to the
shroud.
7. The waste can of claim 1 further including a latch extending
from the shroud that releasably engages the lid.
8. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes vent
holes.
9. The waste can of claim 1 further including a mechanical latch
provided along a portion of the shroud such that the latch clamps
on the bag to help retain the bag in position on the shroud.
10. The waste can of claim 1 further including transverse ribs
extending from the shroud that are received in holders on the
periphery of the receptacle to create vent spaces where air can
vent from between a trash bag and the receptacle to the exterior of
the receptacle.
11. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the shroud can be removed by
lifting the shroud from the receptacle.
12. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the shroud reinforces the
upper portion of the receptacle.
13. The waste can of claim 7 wherein the latch flexes between a
first position in which it engages the lid and a second position in
which it is disengaged from the lid.
14. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the shroud includes a bag
guide that provides a visual reference for locating an upper open
edge of a bag.
15. The waste can of claim 14 further including a latch on the
shroud that engages the lid to lock the lid in a closed position,
wherein the bag guide is located between the latch and the bag
ring.
16. The waste can of claim 1 wherein the receptacle includes a foot
step.
17. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the shroud includes an
aperture to allow excess bag material to be pulled through the
aperture to tightly cinch the bag on said bag ring.
18. The waste can of claim 3 wherein the bag ring is divided into a
first section and a second section and hooks are provided on said
first section and said second section.
19. The waste can of claim 18 wherein said hooks are located at
corners of said shroud.
20. The waste can of claim 19 wherein the hooks can flex to engage
a bag.
21. The waste can of claim 19 wherein the hooks are formed with
barbs.
22. The waste can of claim 1 further including flanges at spaced
intervals around the periphery of the shroud that include
projections that engage said receptacle.
23. The waste can of claim 22 wherein the projections are formed
with angled camming surfaces that engage the receptacle such that
the flanges and said receptacle flex relative to one another to
allow the shroud to be pushed onto said receptacle.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) to the filing date of to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/004,486, as filed on Nov. 27, 2007, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to mechanisms for retaining a trash
bag or bag liner inside of a waste can.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Waste cans for waste disposal are known that comprise a
container having an open top end into which waste is deposited. The
waste cans may be made of plastic, metal or other materials and may
include a lid that covers the open top end. To facilitate clean up,
disposable trash bags or bag liners made of a thin flexible
material are inserted into and line the waste can such that waste
is deposited into the trash bag or bag liner. The trash bag or bag
liner contains the waste and can be removed from the container to
dispose of the waste.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A waste can comprises a receptacle having a rim. A shroud is
removably mounted on the receptacle for retaining a trash bag in
the receptacle. A lid is secured to the shroud for covering at
least a portion of the trash bag. The shroud has an interior
opening that is substantially coextensive with an opening of the
receptacle. The shroud includes a bag ring extending upwardly from
the shroud for receiving the open upper edge of a bag. The lid
extends over the bag ring such that the bag is hidden from view
when the lid is closed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the waste
can of the invention in the open position.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the waste can of FIG. 1 in
the closed position.
[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the waste can of
FIG. 1.
[0008] FIGS. 4 and 5 are detailed perspective views showing the
engagement of the shroud with container.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view showing the details of
the shroud.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view showing the details of
another embodiment of the shroud.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view showing the details of
another embodiment of the shroud.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
shroud and container.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a partial section view of an alternate embodiment
showing the engagement of the shroud with the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Referring to the Figures, embodiments of a waste can are
shown that include a waste can 2 comprising a receptacle 3 having
generally upwardly extending sides 6 and a bottom 8 defining an
interior space 10 for receiving trash, garbage or other waste. The
waste can 2 may be made of any rigid or semi-rigid material
including plastic, metal or the like. In one preferred embodiment,
injection molded poly-propylene may be used. The waste can 2
includes a top rim 4 defining the opening 14 into the interior
space 10.
[0015] A shroud 12 fits onto the sides 6 and rim 4 such that it is
disposed adjacent the rim 4 and surrounds the opening 14 into
interior space 10. The shroud 12 defines a ledge 13 that sits on
top of a shelf 17 formed in the receptacle 3 and a ledge 15 that
sits on top of rim 4. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, shroud 12
includes a downwardly extending flange 11 that extends about the
periphery of the shroud. A plurality of transverse ribs 9 extend
from the flange 11 to ledge 13. The ribs 9 are received in vertical
slots 7 formed in holders 5 spaced around the periphery of the
receptacle 3. The ribs also provide vent spaces in the open areas
between the ledge 13 and receptacle 3 where air can vent from
between the trash bag and waste can to the exterior of the waste
can. Allowing air to vent from the can eliminates "bag puff". Bag
puff is the tendency of a plastic bag to billow away from the
interior of the waste can as a result of air trapped between the
bag and the waste can. The receptacle may also include vent holes
70 for venting air from the waste can to prevent bag puff as shown
in FIG. 1.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, the shroud 12 can be removed simply by
lifting the shroud 12 from the waste can. The shroud 12 has an
interior opening 16 that is substantially coextensive with the
opening 14 of receptacle 3. Extending upwardly from the shroud 12
for a major portion of the periphery of the shroud 12 is a bag ring
18. The bag ring 18 comprises a substantially vertical flange that
extends for substantially the entire periphery of the opening 16.
In the illustrated embodiment, the bag ring 18 has a gap in the
area of hinges 24 but otherwise has an uninterrupted length as best
shown in FIG. 1. The shroud 12 also reinforces the upper portion of
the can 2 to add greater rigidity to the receptacle 3 near the open
upper edge.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 6, the perimeter edge of shroud 12 is
located inside of the perimeter edge 4a of top rim 4 of receptacle
3 such that the bag ring 18 and most of the shroud 12 is located
inwardly from the outer edge 4a of rim 4. The open upper edge 50a
of a trash bag or bag liner 50 is folded over the top edge of bag
ring 18 and fits tightly around the bag ring 18 to support the bag
on the shroud 12 as shown in FIG. 6. Because ring 18 is located
interior of the perimeter edge 4a of rim 4 and the lid 22 is
substantially coextensive with the rim 4, the lid 22 extends over
the bag ring 18 and bag 50 such that the bag is hidden from view
when the lid is closed as best shown in FIG. 2.
[0018] Lid 22 is connected to the shroud 12 at pivots 24 such that
the lid pivots relative to the can to uncover and cover the shroud
and open and close the can. Referring to FIG. 8, pivots 24 can be
formed of bosses 27 molded into the shroud that are engaged by
slotted apertures 29 formed on the lid 22. In the closed position
the bag is hidden from view by the lid. Springs may be provided at
the hinges 24 to maintain the lid in the open position.
[0019] A latch 30 may be formed on a flange 34 that extends from
the front of the shroud 12. Latch 30 includes an engagement member
35 that engages a lip 32 formed on the edge of the lid 22 to lock
the lid in the closed position. The engagement member 35 is formed
with an upper surface that allows the latch 30 to be flexed away
from the locked position when the lid 22 is pushed to the closed
position. Once the lid 22 clears the engagement member 35 the latch
30 returns to the unflexed position and into engagement with lip
32. The latch 30 and/or lip 32 can flex slightly to allow the latch
30 to be disengaged from the lip 32 and the lid opened. In the
illustrated embodiment, a push button 39 is accessible when the lid
is closed. A user presses button 39 to flex latch 30 away from lid
22 and disengage engagement member 35 from lip 32. When the button
39 is released, the latch returns to the locking position.
[0020] The flange 34 includes defines a bag guide 36 that provides
a visual reference to the user as to where the upper open edge of
the bag should be located. With the bag located inside of the bag
guide 36 (between latch 30 and bag ring 18), the bag is hidden from
view when the lid 22 is closed. The receptacle 102 also may include
a bottom formed with a foot step 110. A user can step on the foot
step 110 when removing a full bag from the receptacle 102 to hold
the receptacle in place as the bag is removed.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 7 a plurality of ribs 40 may be provided
along the sides of the shroud 12. The ribs 40 define spaces
therebetween that allow air to vent from the receptacle and prevent
bag puff as previously described.
[0022] Another embodiment of the shroud of the invention is shown
in FIG. 8 that is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 7.
The shroud 112 may also include an aperture 52 formed in the flange
134 on the front of the shroud to allow excess bag material to be
pulled through the aperture 52 and tucked into shroud to tightly
cinch the bag around bag ring 18. In any of the embodiments, the
shroud may also be raised from the receptacle and the bag or bag
liner tucked under the shroud to cinch the bag on the bag ring and
hide the bag from view when the lid is closed.
[0023] A mechanical latch 60 may be provided along the back portion
of the shroud 112 that pivots relative to the shroud to hold the
bag in position. The top edge 50a of the bag 50 is positioned on
the shroud 112 as previously described such that the latch 60
clamps on the bag to help retain the bag in position on the shroud.
The latch 60 can flex slightly to allow the latch 60 to be
disengaged from the shroud 54 and the bag released. The latch 60
may be formed with a living hinge 60a to allow it to flex to open
and close on the bag. Alternatively, the latch may be formed with a
separate mechanical hinge and a spring that biases the latch to the
closed, clamping position.
[0024] Another embodiment of the shroud 212 of the invention is
shown in FIG. 9 that is similar to the prior embodiments where like
reference numerals are used to reference like components. The bag
ring 218 comprises a substantially vertical flange that extends
around the periphery of the opening 216. Unlike the previous
embodiment the bag ring extends for only a portion of the entire
periphery of the opening 216 such that the bag ring is effectively
divided into a first section 218a and a second section 218b. Hooks
219 are provided at the ends of sections 218a and 218b that grip
the bag to help retain it in the shroud 212. In one embodiment the
sections 218a and 218b are dimensioned such that the hooks 219 are
located at the corners of the shroud 212 such that when a bag is
fit over the bag ring 218 the open end of the bag is engaged by the
hooks 219 in the area of the bag where the bag follows the corners
of the shroud. The hooks 219 are formed as cantilevered members
that extend from the bag ring 218 such that they can flex to
accommodate and engage a bag. Further the hooks are formed with
barbs 221 engage and grip the bag.
[0025] As was explained with reference to the prior embodiments,
the perimeter edge of shroud 212 is located inside of the perimeter
edge 4a of top rim 4 of receptacle 3 such that the bag ring 218 and
most of the shroud 212 is located inwardly from the outer edge 4a
of rim 4. The open upper edge of a trash bag or bag liner is folded
over the top edge of bag ring 218 and fits tightly around the bag
ring 218 to support the bag on the shroud 212. Because ring 218 is
located interior of the perimeter edge 4a of rim 4 and the lid 22
is substantially coextensive with the rim 4, the lid 22 extends
over the bag ring 218 and bag such that the bag is hidden from view
when the lid is closed.
[0026] A latch 230 may be formed on a flange 234 that extends from
the front of the shroud 212, as previously described. Latch 230
includes an engagement member 235 that engages a lip formed on the
edge of the lid 22 to lock the lid in the closed position. In the
illustrated embodiment, the latch 230 and push button 239 are
formed with less material than in the prior embodiments to allow a
user to more easily flex latch 230 away from lid 22 and disengage
engagement member 235.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment of the shroud 312
of the invention is shown where like reference numerals are used to
reference like components previously described with respect to
FIGS. 1 through 7. The shroud 312 fits onto the sides 6 and rim 4
such that it is disposed adjacent the rim 4 and surrounds the
opening 14 into interior space 10. The shroud 312 defines a ledge
313 that sits on top of rim 4. Located at spaced intervals around
the periphery of the shroud 312 are downwardly extending flanges
311. Flanges 311 include projections 315 that engage a peripheral
edge 321 of the opening 14 to create a mechanical "snap-fit"
engagement between the shroud 312 and the receptacle 3. The
projections 315 are formed with angled camming surfaces 315a and
315b that engage the rounded peripheral edge 321 such that the
flanges 311 and peripheral edge 321 can flex relative to one
another to allow the shroud 312 to be pushed onto and pulled from
the receptacle 3. When the shroud 312 is in the installed position
as shown in FIG. 10, the flanges 311 and peripheral edge 321 return
to their unflexed positions to create the "snap-fit" engagement
between the shroud 312 and receptacle 3. Pulling up on the shroud
312 flexes the components to allow the shroud to be removed from
receptacle 3.
[0028] Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention
has other applications in other environments. Many embodiments are
possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the
scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described
above.
* * * * *